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Well, looks like I'm getting back heavier into PC gaming. I just upgraded to an i7 rig and there are several PC titles that have my interest. My problem is my office is next to the kids bedroom and the master bedroom where my wife will be sleeping is just across the hall. I'm trying to decide what my best options are here for sound localization and VoIP. My onboard sound dumps some crazy RF interference on the headphone jack, so I'm installing an X-Fi Titanium that should be here any minute now. I was going to see if the CMSS 3D processing is worth a damn or if its the absolute dreck that I expect.

Currently I have the Senn HD 280s but obviously there's no mic. The PC 350 seems to be comparable in sound to the 280s, with an attached mic, but that's getting close to the cost of the 595s I want to pick up for general audio listening. I'm also wondering if these 5.1 headphones are to the point where they're actually worth using, I know the GWJ consensus on them seems fairly high.

So, what's my best setup to get quality sound, surround imaging, and voice communication? I saw that some GWJers (Thin_J and *Legion*) were using little desk puck mics but I'm concerned about broadcasting background noises (rampaging kids) even worse than I do now. I'm not adverse to a standalone mic, it's just my experience in the past hasn't been very favorable compared to a headset.

[Edit] Ha! I setup my Presonus Firebox and A/B'ed it against my onboard audio pushing my HD 280s. The headphone amp on the onboard sound is horrid. The phones really open up and sound driven off the Firebox. Hopefully the X-Fi can push them as well.

Those cans will sound better on an amp; they'll tend to be a little congested, with slightly muddy bass, on a normal headphone out. They still sound really good, but an amp improves them.

You don't need to spend much money. People can't tell solid state amps apart if they're driven within spec at the same volume. The Headroom Total Bithead will do a very nice job. It also has a decent DAC, built right in.

Those cans will sound better on an amp...The Headroom Total Bithead will do a very nice job. It also has a decent DAC, built right in.

Thin_J wrote:

If I'm not mistaken he mentioned earlier he already ordered a NuForce Icon that should do just fine with them...

I have been using the Icon Mobile for a while now and I love it. It is silent, neutral, and very portable. It shouldn't have any trouble driving the HD600s. It has an impedance/gain switch to power full sized headphones. The Fiio iPhone LOD that I have been using with it, though, is not well shielded. Ever time I use it, the radios from the phone cause interference. It was only $10, so I guess you get what you pay for. I will have to keep my eye out for a better one. Some I have seen cost as much as an iPhone/iPod, though.

I also pick up a used 4ft Cardas cable for the headphones. The price was too good and I really need a shorter cord than the stock 10ft cable. I would have been happy with a re-terminated stock cable, but it is not something I want to bother with.

I have a minor dilemma. For iPod/iPhone listening, I like Jbuds J2's; they're comfortable and sound better than anything else I've tried. But I've only tried things in the $20-50 range (mostly cheap Sonys, up to Apple's in-ear option), and a pair of J2's lasts not quite a year for me before one of the wires breaks.

The J2s' disposability bothers me, but they only cost $15. Is there an in-ear earbud that is sufficiently better and more durable that I should buy it instead?

I have a minor dilemma. For iPod/iPhone listening, I like Jbuds J2's; they're comfortable and sound better than anything else I've tried. But I've only tried things in the $20-50 range (mostly cheap Sonys, up to Apple's in-ear option), and a pair of J2's lasts not quite a year for me before one of the wires breaks.

The J2s' disposability bothers me, but they only cost $15. Is there an in-ear earbud that is sufficiently better and more durable that I should buy it instead?

Yuin PK3. It is your best bet under $50. Also, if you do not mind the clip on style, the Koss KSC75 are the absolute best "disposable" headphones for portable use. Oddly enough I believe they come with a lifetime warranty (I think all Koss headphones do. Not sure?). At $15, everyone should try them at least once.

If you are looking for the type you stick inside your ear canal (IEM), someone else can help. I hate the damn things.

BTW...the Apple ear buds are pretty darn good for a stock earbud. The ones that came with the 3G iPhone (and 6th gen iPod maybe?) are anyway. They are more neutral and have a better fit than the older models. They are crap for critical listening, but more than enough for "background" music listening and podcast feeds on the go.

I have a minor dilemma. For iPod/iPhone listening, I like Jbuds J2's; they're comfortable and sound better than anything else I've tried. But I've only tried things in the $20-50 range (mostly cheap Sonys, up to Apple's in-ear option), and a pair of J2's lasts not quite a year for me before one of the wires breaks.

The J2s' disposability bothers me, but they only cost $15. Is there an in-ear earbud that is sufficiently better and more durable that I should buy it instead?

If you want in-ear, I've been very happy with my Vsonic R02pro2s -- they seem quite solid so far, and they sound brilliant for the money. I'm not sure how easy they are to find in the US, but the Cyclone PR1 Pro is very similar (possibly even better, according to some reviews), and apparently they're pretty easy to find for $50 or less.

My fiance agreed to the gifting and I am ready to go the $50- $100 range for in ear headphones. I have had it with cheap $20 or $30 ones breaking on me and I just dont like the Klipch Custom 1's. I dont like the feel and how they go in the ear.

Should I look into Shure or Bose? Are they like the Monster Cable of the headphone dept where they cost so much for something you can get cheaper? I love having decent low end with in ear buds.

If you want a serious step-up in quality in that price range, the Yuin PK3 or PK2 will do great. They will not have the big boomy bass of the lower-end earbuds/IEMs, but it will be more accurate and not overpower the mids and highs. Boomy bass is a bit of a cheat that cheaper headphones use to trick your ear and cover up the deficiencies in sound. Tight accurate bass has far more impact and is much more pleasing to the ear.

The IEM style, while having great isolation, adds unwanted sounds by the nature of its design. Ever notice how loud you talk and breath when you plug your ears? Also, because the headphones seal your ear canal, you hear the cord bouncing around as you walk, as well as other sounds transmitted through your body like your footfalls on the ground. Cord clips and soft shoes help, but I found them unusable when my main mode of transportation was walking and the bus.

IEMs seem to be best used on long passenger commutes (planes; trains). I think earbuds make a better all around headphone, though, especially if you use them actively. If most of your listening is on the couch or at the computer, then it might not be such an issue.

Okay, my campaign to bring back the traditional earbud is done...for now.

If I were in the market for an IEM, I would go with Etymotic. The have a long and stellar reputation for consistently making great IEMs. In fact, it was not that long ago when all they made were fairly expensive audiophile IEMs, but now they make the relatively inexpensive ER-6i. It seems like a good model for your price range if most of your music listening is through an iPod/iPhone or some other portable player. They also make the HF line, which I know nothing about, but it looks just out of your price range anyway.

The IEM style, while having great isolation, adds unwanted sounds by the nature of its design. Ever notice how loud you talk and breath when you plug your ears? Also, because the headphones seal your ear canal, you hear the cord bouncing around as you walk, as well as other sounds transmitted through your body like your footfalls on the ground. Cord clips and soft shoes help, but I found them unusable when my main mode of transportation was walking and the bus.

If I were in the market for an IEM, I would go with Etymotic. The have a long and stellar reputation for consistently making great IEMs. In fact, it was not that long ago when all they made were fairly expensive audiophile IEMs, but now they make the relatively inexpensive ER-6i. It seems like a good model for your price range if most of your music listening is through an iPod/iPhone or some other portable player. They also make the HF line, which I know nothing about, but it looks just out of your price range anyway.

I haven't done it yet, but whenever my Sennheiser earbuds finally die I'm going to end up with a pair of Etymotic MC5's. They're about $80, have excellent isolation, and most people seem to love the things.

I do plan on using these earbuds on my iPod and while I sit at my desk at work. I understand that the over the ear reduced sound but they never feel comfortable toe and always fall out. That's the main reason why I can't stand the Klipsch custom 1. From your description I have been using IEM headphones for awhile now and am used to those bodily sounds. Thanks for the suggestions I will read up on them.

I do plan on using these earbuds on my iPod and while I sit at my desk at work. I understand that the over the ear reduced sound but they never feel comfortable toe and always fall out. That's the main reason why I can't stand the Klipsch custom 1. From your description I have been using IEM headphones for awhile now and am used to those bodily sounds. Thanks for the suggestions I will read up on them.

I picked up a set of cheap Klipsch S2m's to use with my audiobook and podcast player (Sansa Clip+), and find them for me to be more comfortable than any of the Etymotics and Shures that I've had in the past. So it's definitely a personal thing, but my Klipsch are extremely comfortable in comparison. So much so I've been thinking about buying a higher end set.

The Etymotic MC5's look great. I like the look of it but how much of a gimmick is the kevlar cable coating? One of the biggest problems I have had with my previous headphones is that they break near the 3.5mm jack

The Etymotic MC5's look great. I like the look of it but how much of a gimmick is the kevlar cable coating? One of the biggest problems I have had with my previous headphones is that they break near the 3.5mm jack

My earbuds always seem to fail where the cable splits off toward each bud. My current set of Senn's are doing the same thing. The covering wore and separated right at the split.

I'd guess the kevlar coating would prevent that particular kind of failure.

The IEM style, while having great isolation, adds unwanted sounds by the nature of its design. Ever notice how loud you talk and breath when you plug your ears? Also, because the headphones seal your ear canal, you hear the cord bouncing around as you walk, as well as other sounds transmitted through your body like your footfalls on the ground. Cord clips and soft shoes help, but I found them unusable when my main mode of transportation was walking and the bus.

IEMs seem to be best used on long passenger commutes (planes; trains). I think earbuds make a better all around headphone, though, especially if you use them actively. If most of your listening is on the couch or at the computer, then it might not be such an issue.

Okay, my campaign to bring back the traditional earbud is done...for now. ;)

You're not wrong, but you might be overstating the case a touch I use my IEMs (the aforementioned Vsonic R02pro2s) while out and about, both while walking and while on the train/tram/bus, and while they're not ideal for walking, wrapping the cords up and around the back of my ears eliminates most of those cable-rubbing sounds.

I have to admit, though, that I might have weird ears -- while IEMs fit me well and are fairly comfortable (I'll often wear them 4-5 hours a day across my workday and commute), earbuds just do not fit my ears. Every pair I've tried has been very uncomfortable and very prone to falling out, and probably due to those problems giving me a poor fit, they've all sounded terrible. I've heard great things about those Yuin buds, but I'd never buy a pair for myself.

I have to admit, though, that I might have weird ears -- while IEMs fit me well and are fairly comfortable (I'll often wear them 4-5 hours a day across my workday and commute), earbuds just do not fit my ears. Every pair I've tried has been very uncomfortable and very prone to falling out, and probably due to those problems giving me a poor fit, they've all sounded terrible.
I've heard great things about those Yuin buds, but I'd never buy a pair for myself.

I'm in the same boat. A good fitting set if IEMs is much superior to any ear bud I've ever had in fit, and comfort. The only reason I ever want to use an ear bud is in a situation where I need to hear background noise or think I'll be putting them in and out a lot.

The cable noise can be controlled. I generally run mine up the back of my shirt, using a cable clip to attach them to my collar. Then I run the wires over the tops of my ears and backwards. That controls a lot of cable movement.

But what about the plugged ear feeling. It constantly reminds me I am wearing headphones and emphasizes that in-your-head feeling. I have always preferred open-backed headphones, because they sound more natural. I find that the traditional earbud better approximates that sound, than the IEMs. Plus, earwax...eeww!

Some are uncomfortable, but it's all about finding the right fit. My new cheapo Klipsch are very comfortable vs my bearable mid ranged Eytomics and Shures.

It's all personal fit and preference, but to say earbuds are better as you did, implying that they're better in general outside of specific circumstances? I disagree. To each their own.

But what about the plugged ear feeling? It constantly reminds me I am wearing headphones and it emphasizes that in-your-head feeling. I have always preferred open-backed headphones, because they generally have a more natural soundstage. I find that the traditional earbud better approximates that sound more-so than the IEMs. Plus, the earwax...eeww!

Absolutely. Everybody has their own personal preference. In my opinion, it is a lot easier for earbuds to "disappear" as you are listening, because when you listen to music in the open air from speakers or just unamped instruments, your ears are not plugged. Anything that reminds me I am wearing headphones, bothers me to some degree. Even if the IEM has a wide open soundstage and accurate positioning, that plugged ear feeling you get hampers all the great psychoacoustics that are trying to fool your brain into thinking the music is in the room and not in your head.

If anyone is interested, the guy I got my HD600's from "razordogdeals.com" is a stand up guy and has good prices and great customer service. With shipping they average in final sale price at about $280, which I think is a great deal. Most prices for them online are $50-$100 more. Plus, I double checked, he is an authorized Sennheiser dealer, which means you get warranty support. He is listed on the Sennheiser website as an authorized dealer and Sennheiser confirmed this on the phone.

Anyway, I vouch for him. He took good care of me and he doesn't gouge on shipping like some people. Standard shipping (UPS Ground) runs from 6 to 10 bucks.

That's an outstanding price for 600s, and I'll tell ya, it's hard to do much better in headphones. You can certainly equal them, or get similarly competent headphones that shade the sound somewhat differently, but it's very difficult to do objectively better. They are just glorious cans.

Best with an amp, though. Any reasonable cheapie is fine. The Total Bithead from Headroom is one good option.

Yeah, they still sound good without an amp, but they don't truly sing.

Good info about the RF interference. The iPhone puts out a crapload of it -- any amp that's not well-shielded is probably going to be noisy as hell if it's anywhere nearby.

My first-gen iPhone put out so much RF noise that I could hear it in my stereo if it was within about eight feet, and if it was in my car, the car stereo would buzz pretty bad just before the phone rang.

I absolutely love my HD600s and they really do need a good amp. I tried them with the A40 Mixamp and my Xin Super Mini (Version 1). The A40 showed no improvement and the Xin Super Mini colored the sound way to much (could not break through "veil" and bass was too way to boomy). However, the Nuforce Icon Mobile completely brought them to life. It really made all the difference. If I didn't have my Icon MobileThe 600's don't sound bad unamped, they just don't distinguish themselves from a good pair of efficient full sized headphones.

Note on the Bithead: I heard they have a problem with RF interference. Might be an issue if it is going to be sitting next to an iPhone or something. I have never used one, though, so who knows. My Xin Super Mini suffers from this problem and it is completely unsuable with the iPhone unless it is in Airplane Mode.

Still the Bithead is a great amp, plus it has crossfeed, so it should help push the soundstage out a bit in front. I am not sure how well it works, though, some crossfeeds do well at opening up the sounstage, but at the cost of some positional accuracy.